Popular Mechanics articles from November 2005

Popular Mechanics archives from November 2005

Ready, wet, go!(TECH WATCH: ZOMBIE COMPUTERS OIL FUTURES Q&A: NASA BOSS FLOOD-PRONE CITIES)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... Amphibious vehicles aren't exactly known for their speed. (Wheels have a way of creating drag in the water.) But Cool Amphibious Manufacturers of Bluffton, S.C., hopes to break a few records with its new Hydra Spyder. Hit one button, drop the...

Longest commute.(TECH WATCH: This Month)(international space station fifth anniversary)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Pop some bubbly and toast the heavens: Nov. 2 is the fifth anniversary of the manning of the International Space Station (ISS). The modular structure now measures 15,000 cu. ft-in real estate terms that's a cozy but secluded three-bedroom...

Smartest roads.(TECH WATCH: This Month)(intelligent transport systems)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Hop on board a hydrogen-powered bus at the 12th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems in San Francisco from the 6th through the 10th, and ride through an "intelligent intersection," where a radio signal can activate a smart car's...

Brainiest idea.(TECH WATCH: This Month)(brain pacemaker)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Two German researchers willt accept the 50,000-euro Schrodinger prize on the 17th for their brain pacemaker. It uses individual electrical impulses to suppress tremors in Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis patients, avoiding the side effects...

Best view.(TECH WATCH: This Month)(Moscow Federation Complex)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Major construction begins on the 85-story Federation complex in Moscow this month. By 2007 it will top 1100 ft., dwarfing Europe's reigning giant, the 850-ft. Commerzbank in Germany.

Clearest picture.(TECH WATCH: This Month)(digital movies)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The Nov. 4 release of the first digital 3D feature, Disney's Chicken Little, wit[ be a cinematic milestone--and for more than just the cuddly CGI birds. Special projectors will display 144 frames per second (film projects at 24 fps), with each...

Mom warned you.(erotic images and sight)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Psychologists have discovered that dirty pictures really do make you go blind--for a fraction of a second. A study at Yale and Vanderbilt universities found that subjects had difficulty processing visual information for about a fifth of a...

Core's light.(Earth core's heat)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... About half the heat in the Earth's core comes from natural radioactive processes, according to measurements taken at a special facility buried under a mountain in central Japan. Over the course of more than two years, scientists counted 25...

Three's company.(asteroids)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The first triple asteroid system has been observed by astronomers using the Yepun telescope in Chile. With a diameter of 175 miles, "87 Sylvia" is one of the largest of the thousands of asteroids in the main belt that orbits the sun between...

The sniper spotter: acoustic detection systems lock on to enemy marksmen at the speed of sound.(TECH WATCH)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Snipers are a persistent threat in Afghanistan and Iraq, where almost 1300 U.S. troops have been killed or wounded by hostile gunfire since October 2001. And while the lone gunman will always have the element of surprise, new acoustic sensors...

Security alert: Zombie PCs.(TECH WATCH)(computer viruses)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... ABC, CNN AND OTHER BUSINESSES were recently hit hard by Zotob worms, which engage in the insidious practice of turning home PCs into zombie hosts. The computers then wait quietly for control commands from a head user. Internet gangs can use...

The Italian job.(art theft )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... A tip from Italian art police--who confiscated an ancient bronze battering ram apparently looted from a shipwreck--led archeologists to the site of a decisive battle between Roman and Carthaginian fleets in 241 B.C. Using multibeam sonar scans,...

Hacking traffic.
November 1, 2005... A gadget that changes red lights to green might sound like a commuter's dream. But mobile infrared transmitters (MIRTs), which do just that, are common[y used by police, firetrucks and ambulances. The good news: You can build one for less than...

AIRS power.(Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Data from NASA's Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder (AIRS) is now integrated with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's Global Forecast System. Microwave and infrared imaging from AIRS has helped improve the accuracy of four- to...

Crude awakening: with rising costs and new restrictions on sulfur emissions, oil companies are looking for high-tech ways to extract, refine and even replace black gold.(TECH WATCH)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... MORE OIL FROM THE WELL: UNDERGROUND HEATERS To extract tar sands--oil reserves too thick and viscous to flow up wells--Shell has installed heaters 550 meters underground to raise temperatures in surrounding rocks. Heating the sands cracks...

Burning daylight.(TECH WATCH)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... After 11 days and 2500 miles of racing, the University of Michigan's Team Momentum solar car crossed the finish line of the North American Solar Challenge with a final time of 53 hours, 59 minutes and 43 seconds. The three-wheeled racer...

Cracking the case.(dinosaurs)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The discovery of 190-million-year-old dinosaur eggs--the oldest ever found--has hatched new theories about dinosaur evolution. Big heads and long forelimbs suggest Massospondytus was born four-legged and became bipedal as an adult, unlike the...

Check your head.(consussion testing)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Researchers at Georgia Tech and Emory University have created a portable device that tests for concussions by analyzing reaction time and various types of memory. Current testing can take 2 hours in a quiet room; the new device could have...

Polar plunge.(polar bears)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... A satellite tracking device that alerts researchers when it is submerged in seawater has documented the long distances that polar bears swim across the Arctic. The device tracked a polar bear named Skadi making a 46-mile swim. Follow Skadi's...

What's next for NASA? PM talked to new NASA administrator Michael Griffin about the agency's future.(TECH WATCH)(Interview)
November 1, 2005... (Q) With the shuttle temporarily grounded, what's the status of the International Space Station? (A) Right now we're running the ISS in what I'll call a "keep-alive" mode. The two astronauts on board are spending most of their time...

Surge protection: New Orleans isn't the only city vulnerable to catastrophic flooding. How can we prevent the next tragedy?(TECH WATCH)
November 1, 2005... Civil engineers called New Orleans a disaster waiting to happen: a bowl-shaped sprawl whose protective levees also prevented the natural replenishment of its clay, sand and silt foundations. Like Venice, New Orleans was sinking--by one-third of...

Light saver.(UPGRADE: BIG ROLL OF TAPE COMFORTABLE KEYBOARD INDOOR AIRCRAFT RUNNER'S WATCH CHAIN SAWS)(safety lights)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Chemical flares have long been a necessary evil. They save lives by drawing attention to traffic accidents and emergencies, but they also have a nasty habit of starting fires and polluting the environment. The PowerFlare PF-200 Safety Light...

Will it break?(UPGRADE: Wish List)(Sony PlayStation Portable)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... We walked into CompUSA and bought a perfectly good Sony PlayStation Portable ($250). Then we tried our best to destroy it. * WE DROPPED IT The PSP is so pretty, we almost took pity and dropped it in its protective neoprene case, but we...

Just your type.(UPGRADE: Wish List)(computer keyboards)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... We re not exactly sure what an ergonomist does, but it must involve a lot of typing. Microsoft s new Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 is ergonomist approved' and sculpted into a wrist-friendly shape. It is split down the middle at 12 degrees,...

Fisherman's friend.(UPGRADE: Wish List)
November 1, 2005... Out on the boat, there are three elements that the fisherman needs protection from: wind, water and fish guts. The Guy Cotten SuperKodiak Sweater is made with Polartec Wind Pro, which cuts chilly gusts by 95 percent, and has neoprene cuffs and...

The big stick.(UPGRADE: Wish List)
November 1, 2005... What could possibly be more useful than a roll of duct tape? How's about a really big roll of duct tape? Big Fix duct tape dispenses a 12-in.-wide sheet of nearly indestructible adhesive-backed fabric from a 30-ft. roll. It comes with a slide...

Lead a dog to water.(UPGRADE: Wish List)
November 1, 2005... Dogs don't think twice about drinking out of a toilet, so it may not matter much to Fido if his water bowl is dirty. But drinking dead flies and leaves really isn't good for his health. WaterDog is a proximity-activated fountain for your pooch...

Ultralight flight.(UPGRADE: Wish List)
November 1, 2005... Think of the Plantraco Butterfly Living Room Flyer as an incredibly overengineered paper airplane. Constructed of a balsa frame, a carbon-fiber propeller, tissuelike paper and a tiny circuit board, it is billed as the lightest radio-controlled...

Time on your side.(UPGRADE: Wish List)
November 1, 2005... The Timex O.V.A. (optimal viewing angle) watch doesn't just tell time, it saves time. With the face positioned on the side of the wrist, athletes don't have to waste a moment twisting their arms to see the readout. Features include a 100-hour...

When the rubber hits the node.(UPGRADE: Wish List)(tire sensors)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... With modern radials and run-flats, it's hard to tell at a glance if your tire pressure is running dangerously low. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has mandated that all vehicles be outfitted with tire-pressure monitoring...

The manual can opener.(UPGRADE: Wish List)
November 1, 2005... Such a simple device, the twist can opener. Invented in 1858 (48 years alter the tin can), it was refined into its common shape in 1925, and has pretty much stayed the same ever since. But the Orbi SafeCut from Good Cook has evolved the age-old...

New twist.(UPGRADE: Wish List)
November 1, 2005... The Craftsman Speed Multiplying Ratcheting Screwdriver is a tool with multiple personalities. With all of its locks engaged, it is an ordinary screwdriver. When you want to force in your fastener without losing your grip, you can switch to...

Brush with greatness.(UPGRADE: Wish List)
November 1, 2005... Electric toothbrushes have been buzzing, spinning and scouring our teeth in various ways for years, but the HydraBrush is the first to clean top and bottom teeth simultaneously. The rechargeable toothbrush uses two heads that surround and scrub...

Dirt devil.(UPGRADE: Wish List)
November 1, 2005... Gas-powered scooters are commonly seen weaving through city traffic, but they re not usually found climbing over rocks. The 43-pound Go-Ped Trail Ripper 40 aims to change the perception of scooters from commuter toy to hardcore off-road...

Making the cut: we pitted three types of chain saws--and one old-fashioned bow saw--against three hunks of wood to find the perfect balance between simplicity and raw power.(UPGRADE: Backyard Lab Test)(Product/Service Evaluation)(Buyers Guide)
November 1, 2005... 3-in. 6-in. 1-in. Larch Pin Cherry Rock Maple Time: Time: Time: FISKARS BOW SAW 2 seconds 16 seconds...

Shock therapy: expecting people to jumpstart the hearts of their fellow citizens sounds crazy. But it's working.(SCIENCE)
November 1, 2005... Athletic trainer Pam Riddle was working with a client at the Boston Sports Club this past March when a member told her someone a few feet away "didn't look too good." She found the man, 61-year-old Art Garofalo, slumped over a stretching...

New "legal" performance pill hits market: size * strength * musculature.(NEW PRODUCT UPDATE)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2005... In a remarkable turn of events, arguably one of the strangest in the history of athletic performance, an offshoot of research directed to help victims of muscle atrophy has now become an underground cult phenomenon among bodybuilders,...

Civic-minded: Honda injects the market with not just one but four new flavors of its popular compact Civic.(NEW CARS: BIGGER COUPES MULTI SUVS POPULAR COMPACTS BEST SELLERS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The Honda Civic is largely responsible for the iconic grip small Japanese cars have on the American carbuyer. Early on, it defined compact, well-built, counterculture transportation, delivering qualities that the Big Three carmakers failed to...

Middle of the road Audi TT.(Spy REPORT: EUROPE)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... In the fall of 2006 we'll see the new Golf/ Passat-based TT Coupe. Yup, it's bigger than the current, tidy little TT. Styling is certainly more mainstream than that of the minimaiist version it's replacing. Aluminum body panels will keep weight...

Maserati Coupe de Grace.(Spy REPORT: EUROPE)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Maserati is back with a vengeance, selling more cars last year than ever before. To replace the GT that made it possible, here's the 2+2 GT Coupe. We caught it testing at Ferrari's private Fiorano track in Maranello. The GT features a small...

Saab 9-5 warm-over.(Spy REPORT: EUROPE)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Saab faithful are dreading the arrival of the heavily GM-flavored '09 Saab 9-5. Those who want the genuine article, quirks and all, will have to pick up this slightly refreshed 2007 model before the blands take over. Check out the new grille,...

Speed bumps beware.(NEW CARS)(Jeep Grand Cherokee)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... If it's been the lack of a third row of seats that's kept you from buying a new Jeep, wait no more. Commander is here. And, you would not be alone if you were looking for something with searing for seven--that's the current sweet spot in the...

Asphalt-bound jeeps.(Spy REPORT: DETROIT)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... We showed you the Jeep Compass in September but failed to mention that another model will be introduced at about the same time. Patriot, built on the same front-drive chassis, will be a more rugged version of Compass. Both will offer 4wd but...

Guns slits on wheels.(Spy REPORT: DETROIT)(Chevy TrailBlazer)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Chevy TrailBlazer pops for 2007. Body lines will be simpler, smoother. Headlight composites sweep back almost to the tires. Narrow rear glass blends with the taillights for a "chopped" look. A stronger 4.2-liter Six and a super charged 350-hp...

Now that's a GTO!(Spy REPORT: DETROIT)(Pontiac GTO)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Pontiac is finally getting its musclecar right with this proper revival of the fabled GTO. While the current "Goat" comes from GM's Holden Down Under subsidiary, this one will be made in the good ol' U.S. of A. Note the strong, retro-look...

Road warrior.(NEW CARS)(Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Picture a machine with the lightweight maneuverability of a dirt bike and the stickiness of a sportbike, and you have Suzuki's new DR-Z 400 SM. In other words, this half street/ half dirt bike is all about ride-it-like-you-stole-it hooligan...

Spunky.(NEW CARS)(Kia Rio)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The old Kia Rio was one of the least expensive cars on the market. But it wasn't exactly fun. Well, the all-new 2006 Kia Rio and Rio S wagon keep the price in the basement but add some real driving enjoyment to the mix. There's a stiff new...

Sizzle in the Southwest.(Spy REPORT: ASIA)(Hyundai Santa Fe)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The all-new 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe will be a radical departure from the current model. Hyundai's flagship SUV will be much larger and get a 3.5-liter V6 with 260-plus hp. The sheetmetal will be sleek, too, and incorporate the company's trademark...

Best seller gets hybridized.(Spy REPORT: ASIA)(Toyota Camry)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Disregard that H on the grille--this is most certainly a Toyota. The 2007 Camry will get an all-new engine from Toyota's latest family of V6s. A four-cylinder engine is also planned, as is a hybrid model. The Camry Hybrid will bring Toyota's...

Evolving a legend.(Spy REPORT: ASIA)(Mitsubishi Lancer)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Within the next year a new Mitsubishi Lancer will debut and, with it, a brand-new Lancer Evolution. This mule is essentially a cobbled-together prototype, says our source, with the chassis of the all-new Lancer riding beneath current bodywork....

Mighty midsize.(NEW CARS)(Mitsubishi Raider)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Mitsubishi hasn't had a pickup truck in its arsenal since the mini-sized Mighty Max left our shores in the '90s. Pickups have only gotten bigger, and the new Raider is Mitsu's first true midsize truck. It packs a standard V6 or an optional V8....

Party of five.(NEW CARS)(Mazda5 minivan)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Whatever you do, don't call the Mazda5 a minivan. Or even a The folks at Mazda would prefer you think of their newest tall wagon as, well, anything but one of those. In truth, this pint-size people mover is more like a high-roof Mazda3 wagon...

Grand expectations.(NEW CARS)(Suzuki Grand Vitara)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Forget what you might remember about the old :Suzuki Grand Vitara. Suzuki's latest SUV now rolls on a unibody structure with a four-wheel independent suspension with standard ABS and stability control. It's longer and wider than the old Grand,...

Nothing subtle: pure essence of two-wheeled Americana, the Boss Hoss is a motorcycle for people who like 'em large.(JAY LENO'S GARAGE: Part One: The Boss Hoss)
November 1, 2005... You know, when you look at certain vehicles, knowing nothing about them, you can just tell their country of origin. When you look at a Mercedes-Benz, it looks German. There's something about a Citroen or a Renault--they just look French. And...

The Leno view: a compendium of the past seven years' worth of automotive-related musings by our world-famous garage owner.(JAY LENO'S GARAGE: Part Two: The Sayings of Jay)
November 1, 2005... When Jay Leno first began discussing the idea of writing a regular column for POPULAR MECHANICS, he had one very strong request: He had been concerned for a long time that most of the country's talented automotive machinists, restoration...

No school like old school: to help prepare future generations of skilled automotive craftsmen, we endow an annual scholarship to a worthy restoration student at McPherson College.(JAY LENO'S GARAGE: Part Three: The Leno Legacy)
November 1, 2005... Were it not for McPherson College and its automotive restoration technology program, Waco Davis might well be peering into open mouths instead of engine compartments. Davis, who was the 1999-2000 recipient of the Leno/PM scholarship, was...

Planes for the people: its the hottest trend in personal aviation--streamlined pilot licensing, combined with a new generation of affordable, fast and fun-to-fly light-sport planes.(Cover Story)(Column)
November 1, 2005... EVERY YEAR, FOR ONE WEEK IN JULY, a sleepy little airstrip in America's dairy heartland becomes the busiest airport in the world, as 10,000 aircraft converge on the annual AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wis. Imagine the combined traffic at...

Breakthrough awards 2005: we salute the innovators who are shaping the world's future through science and technology--and new products that represent benchmarks of engineering.
November 1, 2005... It must have been impossible, in the early years of POPULAR MECHANICS, to imagine that the pace of innovation could be maintained: Aviation, wireless communication, modern physics--all the cornerstones of a new world--were being horn at once....

Stanley FatMax TLM100.(BRILLIANCE YOU CAN BUY)
November 1, 2005... Most consumer-priced electronic measuring devices employ sound waves for the actual measurements, using lasers only for accurate pointing. The Stanley FatMax TLM100 ($100) is the first true laser measuring device meant for the masses. The...

GM 3.9-liter V6.(BRILLIANCE YOU CAN BUY)
November 1, 2005... General Motors keeps finding ways to advance pushrod camshaft engines. The company's latest move is to adapt variable valve timing--common in overhead camshaft designs to maximize performance at both lower and higher speeds--to an engine with a...

Mac OS X v10.4 "Tiger".(BRILLIANCE YOU CAN BUY)
November 1, 2005... Apple's new Tiger operating system ($129) doesn't look much different from previous versions of OS X, but its Spotlight search tool changes the way users find data on their computers. Spotlight goes beyond file names to comb through the...

Toyota twin-chamber airbag.(BRILLIANCE YOU CAN BUY)
November 1, 2005... Most front airbags resemble large pillows. Toyota's twin-chamber version looks more like a hot dog bun. In an accident, the passenger's head is sandwiched by two chambers, reducing the risk of head and neck injuries. It debuts in the 2006 Lexus...

First Alert OneLink.(BRILLIANCE YOU CAN BUY)
November 1, 2005... The First Alert OneLink ($90), a combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, wirelessly relays news of an emergency to every alarm in the home. Each OneLink unit even announces where the trouble was first detected, www.firstalert.com ...

Microsoft Xbox 360.(BRILLIANCE YOU CAN BUY)
November 1, 2005... This fall, six months before the debut of Sony's highly anticipated PlayStation 3, Microsoft kick-starts gaming's next era with the Xbox 360 ($399), a high-definition machine powered by a triple-core CPU. All Xbox 360 games integrate with the...

TomTom Go.(BRILLIANCE YOU CAN BUY)
November 1, 2005... No, the TomTom Go ($899) isn't exactly new. This miniature car navigation system came out in 2004 with its current, elegant design. Why an award now? Because 2005's Go 700 stuffs more power and functionality in the package--for $100 less than...

AMD athlon 64 X2 dual-core microchips.(BRILLIANCE YOU CAN BUY)
November 1, 2005... Dual-core computing, a staple of supercomputing, puts two processors (or "cores") on a single microchip. Now it's coming to home PCs, where it will help computers handle multiple multimedia applications. "It's like having two hands to juggle...

Sling Media Slingbox.(BRILLIANCE YOU CAN BUY)
November 1, 2005... Sling Media's Slingbox ($250) is simple, yet brilliant. Plug any' media source into Slingbox. Plug Slingbox into your home network router. Get the streamed to any computer on the network. You can even stream data over the Internet--accessing...

Milwaukee V28 series.(BRILLIANCE YOU CAN BUY)
November 1, 2005... Since their Reagan-era introduction, cordless power tools have drilled, screwed and pounded their heads into the wall to try to match corded-tool performance. The Milwaukee V28 series comes the closest yet, making its mark as the first major...

Room to move.(PM COMPARISON TEST: DODGE BUICK FORD TOYOTA)(sport utility vehicles)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... The growing disenchantment with SUVs means family-size sedans are finding their way back into American garages. We selected four of the largest, most powerful models--the Dodge Charger R/T, Toyota Avalon Limited, Ford Five Hundred SEL and Buick...

5 4 3 2 1 ... The meticulous science and delicate art of blowing stuff up.(Column)
November 1, 2005... The Baptist Memorial Hospital Physicians & Surgeons Building in Memphis, Tenn., has seen better days. The 10-story structure rises above a skirt of massive black curtains cloaked in dust. Wide chunks of limestone have been carved from its face....

What's the sound?(The PM DIAGNOSIS)(car sounds and their causes)
November 1, 2005... A moving car is a complex symphony of sound, most of it reassuring--tires humming, engine rumbling, tailpipes roaring. But every now and then a dissonant note creeps into the mix--and the alert driver's ears prick up: Did you hear that? Here's...

Heavens above: skylights make a room feel expansive. Here's how to choose--and install--the one that's right for you.(HOME JOURNAL: BUILD A BLANKET CHEST WATER HEATER SAFETY CHOOSING ABRASIVES LEVEL AN APPLIANCE)(Buyers Guide)
November 1, 2005... People usually know what they want when it comes to selecting doors and windows, but skylights occupy a more mysterious niche. Inaccessible and above the fray, skylights just sit up there in your roof. What makes one preferable to the next and...

Blanket coverage: after centuries of evolution, the basic chest hasn't changed.(Classics: SIMPLE DO-IT-YOURSELF WEEKEND PROJECTS)
November 1, 2005... We call it a blanket chest, but don t let that sway you. This traditional piece is equally at home filled with the kids' toys or that collection of LPs you can't quite part with. Put it under a window, and it's an elegant window seat; move it...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
November 1, 2005... Correction: In our picnic table project (August '05), a problem in the final stage of production caused the lettering to become misaligned in two drawings. You'll find the corrected drawings at www.popularmechanics.com.

Water heater temperature.(HOMEOWNERS CLINIC: Q+A)
November 1, 2005... (Q) I made some measurements on my gas-fired water heater and found that it allows the water temperature to drop 30 F before the burner fires. If you happen to use the water heater at the bottom of the temperature swing, the heater doesn't...

Know your stuff: abrasives.(HOME JOURNAL: Homeowners Clinic)(Buyers Guide)
November 1, 2005... Know your stuff: Abrasives can be used to strip paint, smooth a weld, remove rust, abrade wood and polish away imperfections from a finish. Here's how to choose one that will get you the best results. WHAT IT IS ...

Are purifiers/distillers slowly killing you because of environmental changes?
November 1, 2005... There are several problems filters/distillers don't address! 1) They can't remove disease markers (found in your blood, 94% water), that billions of people flush in to the ground water, in only one pass through these products! They produce...

Caulking lap joints.(HOMEOWNERS CLINIC: Q+A)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... (Q) I have a wood-frame house covered with painted cedar clapboard siding. I live in the wet coastal environment of Northern California. Is it better to completely caulk the underside of the laps or leave them open to allow some air...

Restoring vinyl siding.(HOMEOWNERS CLINIC: Q+A)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... (Q) The vinyl siding on my house is in need of a cleaning. Do you have any tips on cleaning it? Is there a product that I can use to restore its appearance? I tried soap and water but it's not very effective. BRYAN PAWESKI Howards...

How to be a better meter reader ...(READER FEEDBACK)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... OUR RECENT SHORT COURSE on using a multimeter said that an open circuit (the absence of continuity) is indicated as a zero reading. Not so, point out readers Lawrence Dennison of Pomona, Calif., and Ken Draves (via e-mail). An open circuit...

... Or a rock star.(READER FEEDBACK)(drills)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... ANOTHER READER TOOK US TO TASK for recommending a rotary hammer and a diamond-grit bit or a carbide-tip bit to drill holes in rock. Roy Landstrom of Cumberland, Ohio, asks, "How about a star drill and a bit of muscle?" On the [eft is a 3/4-in....

Electrical panel box cover.(HOMEOWNERS CLINIC: Q+A)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... (Q)I'm helping a friend search for a replacement cover for his old, odd-size electrical panel box. Someone removed the box's cover years ago and never put it back. We've searched local stores and Web sites without luck. JULIE HARVEY ...

Keeping a level head.(NOW YOU KNOW)(home appliances)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... A LEVEL APPLIANCE is a happy appliance. That's true for refrigerators, washers and dryers, dishwashers and kitchen ranges--art of which have rotating parts such as motors and pumps that are engineered to work best when lever. Leveling a major...

Finishing a hardwood floor.(HOMEOWNERS CLINIC: Q+A)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Under my house's carpet is a wood floor that has hardened asphalt tile mastic on it. What can you suggest to remove the mastic and restore the original floors? KRISTEN VAN DIJK Brandon, Manitoba (A) If the mastic was applied cold...